Valve guide for water closet



March 20, 1956 J. GREBMEIER ETAL,

VALVE GUIDE Foa WATER cLoss'r Filed Aug. 5, 1954 JOSEPH GREBME/E R LEONELLO BRUNE T77 www /J A7' TORNE Y predetern' ined level. "tleft that the rubber tank ball or outlet valve many `t'i'rrles does not seat properly in the outlet and .on fthe `A`fro1`n `tlie 'tank into the toilet bowl.

waste'dand thesound of running Water is annoying.

United States Patent 2,138,517 'VALVE GUmE Fon WATER cLosEr l u Joseph Grebmeier, Palo Alto, andLeonello Brunetti,

i:'hisinvention relates to a valve guide meansfor a water closet. More particularly this inventionrelates to a-se1fcenteri`ng means for guiding the rubber .stank `ball orvoltlet valve of a water closet to cause the same to yregister accurately with the outlet opening and to effectively and dependably shut olf the water supply .from the ftankto'the toilet bowl of a water closet when the tank vhas drained.

, In' water closets of the household variety, a unitary installation is provided which includes a toiletbowl-:and a vlt'ank "at the rear of the bowl for holding .a Ysupply of Wafer lto 'ush the toilet bowl after use. Means are.pro vided'within the tank to empty apredetermined lquantity of'vv'ater from the tank into the bowl for flushing, `to-c1ose "the utlt valve automatically and to rell the `tank 4to a A frequent source of dicultyfis `v'al'veseat, lthereby permitting continual leakage fof water Consequently water Heretofore, several expedients have been ttriedin an ie'de'avor'to correct this diiculty. Thus a spider 4orguide `fne'nlner has been provided for insertion in the tank outl'e't and a guide rod aixed to the valve which extends 'slidamy through the Spider. The spider and 'slide wd are'lsupposed to serve as a guide. However, lthis struc- "tur'ehas notbeen satisfactory in pratice.

It isan object of the present.invention"to;provide im- "p'ivedmeans of guiding and centeringthekak `outlet '"vlve'of a lwater closet.

Another object of the invention is to fprovi'de selfl centering guide and alignment means :for thexoutletvlve of awater closet which is simple in itsconstructionand ""easl'y installed and is eilicient and dependable in Vfits 'lperatiom r y "'Theseand other objects of the invention will be apulpa'renttrom the ensuing description -and I'the appended claims One form of the invention is illustratedbyWayofthe example in the accompanyig drawingin which:

"'*Fi'gu're 1 is a View, partly in side elevation-andjpartly in`f'v'ertical section, showing a typical household'variety 4*offri/.alter closet having a typical flushing arrangementbut also having the self-centering and valve guide "meansof vfthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in sideleleva'tion, on' a "Figure 3 is a top plan view of the7 self-centering', guide I"nieans of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings andfmore particularly YftoltFigure 1,v a conventional household variety-1of1fwater fclosetlis, shown and is generally designatedbythe' reference numeral 10. The water closet comprises `the usual 2,738,517 APatented Mar. 20, 1956 yhavinga cover 14 whichisremovable to vpermit access to the interior of the tank. Artank outletis providedat 15 -through'whichthe 4tank .empties toilush the .bowl 11 :and'lit formsavalve seat 15ato .seat an outlet valve 16.

5 lThe `valve 16 is commonly referred .to as a `rubber tank ball `owing to its generally spherical shape and rubber construction. It is-usually hollow but has a bottom opening so as to .llwith :water to prevent .it from oating because-.of buoyancy. The tankbutlet 15, the valve seat rlaand outlet -valvefltmay AbeofA conventional construction, such .as that shown.

Alsoshown are conventional tank `inlet pipes 17 and `18, the latter being '.theroutlet branch and terminating somewhat above the bottom of the tank 13; a hollow, -spherical brass .oat 19,\.atta`cl1ed to anarrn 19a for op- .eratinga'tankinlet valve (notsshown) ;and a bypass tube Shaving its outer open end Awithinlthe upper end of an overllow pipe l26. Other conventional elements of the -water .closet comprisea pull rod27 `which is threaded at itslowertend. into the tank outlet .valve 16, a link 28 one end of which is.slidably connected tothe pull rod 27, a vlever -2'9 rotatably connected ,to the other end ofthe link ZSand extending.rotatablythrough` the front wall of tank '13.and alhandle 30 for operating theilushing apparatus manually.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3. as well as to Figure 1,

V.a ,self-centering, guide structure .,is, provided for the outlet valve 16and.sgenerallydesignated by the reference numeral 35. It comprisesaspider yhaving three radial arms 37.spaced approximately `-120 apart and having also 'a fourth arm 38 which is twisted through an angle of '90 and whose outer, ,elongated end portion is formed linto a circular clampingringv 39. The ring 39 is provided with a-bolt 40 and a nut 41. By-,means of the ring.39,.the assembly'3`5 may be mounted on .the .overflow pipe 26, by loosening the nut '40,sprea`dingthe ring 39 until it will slide over` the upper end .of pipe`26 or about its sides, then adjusting to the proper level and tightening the bolt 4) 'andnut 41. Also,.the clamping ring 39 willbe rotated 'toaposition such'that thespider 36 is in axial alignment "with the outlet 115.

As istmost clearly shown in Figure'3, the. spider 36 `hasa'central portion which is'formed with a hole- 42 to slidably. receive the pull rod 27. As'is mostY clearly shown "inFigureQ, the outer end'of each 'f the spider arms 37 Zis bent downwardlyto` provide a short, vertical tab por- 'tion"43'whichislformedwitha'ho1e43a to rotatably re- 'ceive-an `eye 44 .attached to an elongated, cylindrical 41weight'or-centering `orguidemember 45. "In the construction' shown,y the 'weights :45'V are .elongated and cylindrical, r'andtlreymay be'madeof'brass; Alea'd or any other suitable material which'is preferablya material vhaving a high fden'sity'andwhi'ch is resistant'to corrosion by water. 'The shapef'the^guide"members45 may "depart from cylindrical but itis preferably suchas to have free sliding contact 2With'thetankoutlet valve I6 at itswidest diameter shown lat v"50. V"Aswill'be-see11'-froman"i.nspection of Figure 2,

'fthefguide-members 45terminate-somewhat below the zwidest `diameter or'rim50f"the"tank'outlet valve 16 =when 'the'latter is seatedl onfthe'valve seat 15a. The point 'effsuspensiontof-each^meri1ber"45,at 43a is such that,

rvwhile "'itis :hangin g 'in-normalv 'vertical Lposition itwill just i contact the rim or'horizontaldiameter"50 of the tankoutletf-valve 16. It will alsolbeapparent froman'inspe'ction 6520i Figure'2 that theyguide membersliS are free toA swing 1 out-wadlyiinf responsev toaradial' outward force but, by "reason of theirmass;they=will alwaystend to swing'ba'ck to "-ver'ticalj position.

-In`operationthe 'water closetl 'is'ttlushed by manual is rotated in the properfdirectionfthetank ;outlet valve f t16 *is liftdfree' -off"the valve seat 15a by means of.v the lever 29, link 28 and pullrod 27. Water is, therefore, allowed to ow from the tank 13 through the outlet 15 into the toilet bowl 11. Meanwhile, the oat 19 will follow the water downwardly, thereby opening the inlet valve and admitting water to the tank.

As .is well known, it is then necessary that the outlet valve 16 drop by gravity and reseat itself rmly and accurately in the valve seat 15a, to cut olf the outflow of water, terminate the flushing operation and restore the moving parts of the llushing system to their normal positions shown in Figure l. Barring the possibility of a faulty tank inlet valve (which is not a frequent occurrence), the usual difficulty, and the critical part of the cycle of operation of a water closet flushing system, is proper reseating of the tank outlet valve on its valve seat so as to cut ott the outflow of water and terminate ushing.

The self-centering, guide mechanism serves the purpose of insuring accurate and dependable alignment of the tank outlet valve with its valve seat, and it does so in the manner which will now be described:

During the initial portion of the operating cycle, while the tank outlet valve 16 is raised, and again during a later stage in the operating cycle, while the valve 16 is dropping, forces act on the pull rod 27 and/ or on the tank outlet valve 16 which tend to rock the valve 16 laterally. As a result, the pull rod 27 may tend to bind in the eye at the outer end of the link 28, thereby holding the outlet valve 16 in up position and preventing seating of the valve 16. Or the valve 16 may drop onto the outlet 15 but in a position out of alignment with the valve seat 15a, thereby only partially closing the outlet 15.

The self-centering guide structure 35 of the present invention provides self-centering means in the form of the guide members 45. These guide members are yieldable, i. e. they are free to rock outwardly, and will, therefore, allow the valve 16 to rock to a limited degree. But the guide members 45 act at all times to restore the valve 16 to its proper position in accurate alignment with the valve seat 15a and outlet 15. This yieldable restorv ing force acts on the outlet valve 16 at all times, both during raising of the valve 16 at the commencement of the operating cycle, and while the valve is dropping into place. Binding of the pull rod 27 and misalignment of tank outlet valve 16 are, therefore, effectively and dependably prevented.

It will, therefore, be apparent that a self-centering guide means is provided for use in connection with the tank outlet valve of a water closet which is simple in its construction; which is easily mounted in a toilet of standard design and construction and is readily adjusted; which is simple in its operation; and which acts yieldably but effectively and at all times to maintain the tank outlet valve in alignment with its valve seat and to restore the same to a position of alignment should it temporarily depart therefrom in response to a sucient force.

We claim:

l. A guide structure of the character described, comprising a support member adapted to be mounted in the tank of a water closet directly above the tank outlet and the tank outlet valve, and a plurality of guide members suspended from said support member, arranged at spaced intervals about the center of the support member, and connected thereto in such manner as to allow lateral rocking of the guide members in response to an outward radial force; said guide members being so arranged as to be substantially tangent to said outlet valve when the latter is properly seated in said outlet opening, being free to rock outwardly as the outlet valve ascends and descends during operation thereof, and having suicient mass to restore the outlet valve to a position of axial alignment with the outlet opening and to seat the outlet valve accurately in such opening.

2. A guide structure of the character described, comprising a support member adapted to be mounted in the tank of a water closet directly above the tank outlet and the tank outlet valve, and a plurality of guide members suspended from said support member, arranged approximately equi-angularly about the center of the support member, and connected thereto in a manner to allow lateral rocking of the guide members in response to an outward radial force, said guide members being so arranged as to be substantially tangent to and in sliding contact with said outlet valve when the latter is properly seated in said outlet opening and while it is moving up and down during use, being free to rock outwardly as the outlet valve so moves, and having sufficient mass to restore the outlet valve to a position of axial alignment with the outlet opening and to seat the outlet valve accurately in such opening.

3. A guide structure of the character described, comprising a support member adapted to be adjustably mounted on the overow pipe of the tank of a water closet and directly above the tank outlet opening and the tank outlet valve, and a plurality of cylindrical guide members each of substantial mass suspended from the support member to swing freely therefrom and to lie normally tangent to a cylindrical surface developed by vertical movement of the tank outlet valve during the ilushing cycle.

4. A guide structure of the character described for guiding the tank outlet valve of a water closet to seat the same accurately in the tank outlet, said structure comprising a spider having a plurality of radial arms located in a common plane and spaced approximately equi-angularly with reference to a central axis perpendicular to such plane, said spider being formed with a central, axial opening to slidably receive the pull rod of a tank outlet valve, means for adjustably mounting said spider on the overilow pipe of a water closet tank, a guide member of elongated, cylindrical shape and relatively large mass freely suspended from the outer end of each arm of the spider so as normally to hang vertically when the spider is in a horizontal plane and to swing outwardly in response to an outward radial force, said guide members being arranged to be in sliding contact with said tank outlet valve as it ascends and descends during the course of operation.

5. A water closet ushing system comprised of a tank for holding Water to supply a toilet bowl to iiush the same, inlet means including a tank inlet valve and means for automatically opening the inlet valve to admit water to the tank when the water therein is below a predetermined level and to close the inlet valve when the water is at said predetermined level, a tank outlet and a valve seat therein, a tank outlet valve for seating on such valve seat to close the tank outlet, means for operating the outlet valve, including a pull rod for raising the outlet valve from the valve seat and permitting the outlet valve to drop onto the valve seat, and guide means for said .outlet valve comprising a plurality of guide members of substantial mass and means freely suspending the same so as to lie normally in vertical position tangent to the outlet valve during the course of its vertical movement and to rock outwardly in response to a sufficient force so rocking the outlet valve and to restore the outlet valve by reason of their mass.

6. A water closet flushing system comprising a tank for holding water to supply a toilet bowl to flush the same, an overlow pipe in such tank, inlet means including a tank inlet valve and means for automatically opening the inlet valve to admit water to the tank when the water therein is below a predetermined level and to close the inlet valve when the water is at said predetermined level, a tank outlet and a valve seat therein, a tank outlet valve for seating on such valve seat to close the tank outlet, means for operating the outlet valve including a pull-rod for raising the outlet valve from the valve seat and permitting the outlet valve to drop onto the valve seat, and guide means for said outlet valve comprising a plurality of guide members of cylindrical shape and subtion tangent to and in sliding contact with the outlet valve during the course of its vertical movement and to rock outwardly in response to a sullicient force so rocking l the outlet valve and to restore the outlet valve by reason` of their mass.

7. A valve guide for the outlet valve of a water closet comprising a suspension member adapted to be mounted above and in aXial alignment with the outlet of a water closet tank, and a plurality of elongated weights each of large diameter compared to the diameter of the valve stem of a water closet, each said weight'being suspended at one end to swing withoutrhindrance except for inertia through a wide arc in response to a lateralV force, said weights being arranged to be substantially tangent to the cylinder described by the outletivalve of a water closet as the same is operated; said weights oiering resistance to lateral displacement of the outlet valve of a water closet and providing a restoring force substantially entirely by reason of their mass.. f

8. Water closet llushing apparatus comprising a tank,

means for admitting water to the tank to a predetermined level, a flushing outlet at the bottom of the tank, an outlet valve for closing said ushing outlet, a` stem for said valve in the form of a rod of small diameter,V means slidably mounting said stem to allow vertical movement ofthe valve 'in axial alignment with said outlet, a plurality of elongated weights each of much greater diameter'and much greater mass than said stem and means suspending said weights so as normally to hang in verti-g cal position substantially tangent to the cylinder described VAoy said valve as it operates; said suspending .means permittingfree swinging of said'weights inthe manner of pendulums and offering substantially no resistance to such swinging movement; the masses of said weights' providing substantially the only restoring force sewing to restore said valve to its normal position in axial alignment with said outlet when a lateral force tends to swing the valve laterally.

Davenport Jan. l0, 1928 Reed Feb. 9, 1954 

